Natural Deodorant Review & Tips

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Hiya Gorgeous,

Let’s talk B.O.! Do natural deodorants really work? Why should we use them? Which ones are best? As per usual, there’s more here than meets the nose! In this video and blog, I’m giving you the down and stinky scoop on deodorants and antiperspirants. Like many of you, I’ve been on the hunt for natural products that work for years, and now I’m gettin’ down and dirty to find the best natural deodorant. I finally tested over a dozen products and included the results in this (hilarious) video and awesome infographic below. Pssst! Make sure you watch the entire video. You don’t want to miss my surprise guest—A GRIZZLY BEAR!

Your skin is your body’s largest organ and it’s really good at absorbing what you put on it. Think about it like this: when smokers want to quit, they slap on a patch that delivers nicotine right to their bloodstream via their skin, same deal with the birth control patch. There are even vitamin B12 patches! With your spongy epidermis in mind, it’s important we do our best to reduce our chemical exposure. Which includes what we put on our pits. I can’t wait to discuss this all with you. Let’s dive in!

To clear up our stinkin’ thinkin’ about, well, stinkin’, here are a few starting points about deodorants, antiperspirants and good ole sweat:

Why do we sweat? Sweating is our body’s cooling mechanism. We sweat when it’s hot out, when we’ve been exercising, when we have a fever or when we’re anxious and stressed.

Why does it smell bad? Actually, sweat itself doesn’t smell. That signature sweaty odor comes from the meeting of the bacteria living on our skin with the sweat escaping from our sweat glands.

What are antiperspirants? Some people try to prevent body odor by using an antiperspirant to stop their bodies from sweating (spooky!). Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever find a truly non-toxic anti-perspirant because of the harsh ingredients necessary to prevent sweating—more on this in a moment.

What are deodorants? Unlike an antiperspirant, a deodorant works on top of the skin, killing off the bacteria with an antiseptic ingredient, then covering any leftover odors with a scent. As with all personal products, it’s important to be an informed consumer to select a safe natural deodorant. The good news is that it’s possible!

Conventional Deodorants & Antiperspirants

What should you be looking for when you check the ingredients on your next stick? Here are a few of the potentially harmful things found in regular deodorants and antiperspirants. These are the guys you want to avoid. Take note: Some of these ingredients will be spelled out right on the label, and some won’t be, so you might have to sleuth a little further.

What do they do? Used as a preservative, containing antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Why should you avoid them? Many parabens mimic estrogen in the body, and have been found inside breast cancer tumors. The widespread use of parabens in personal care products makes their potential link to cancer especially concerning. Most experts call for more research.

What does it do? This one is pretty straight forward: the synthetic chemicals listed as “fragrance” are included in products to mask body odor.

Why should you avoid it? There are an alarming number of chemicals (over 3100!) that fall into the fragrance category. According to the Environmental Working Group: “The average fragrance product tested contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label. Among them are chemicals associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions, and many substances that have not been assessed for safety in personal care products.”

What does it do? Aluminum chlorohydrate is a salt that prevents wetness, which makes it a very popular ingredient in antiperspirants.

Why should you avoid it? The continued use of aluminum chlorohydrate adds to the number of chemicals your body must eliminate and to your overall body burden (see more below).

How do these chemicals impact your health?

As our friend Heather White, the Executive Director of Environmental Working Group, put it so clearly during our Chat & Chew, we just don’t know what the long term effects of the buildup of these chemicals are, and the things we do know are pretty alarming. When EWG studied body burden, (the amount of chemicals stored in our bodies), they found the average person has nearly 300 different chemicals in their system, including PCBs and DDT, which were banned over 30 YEARS AGO in the US.

Natural Deodorant

But there’s good news! Lucky for us, there are natural ingredients that can be used in place of the chemicals. Remember that we all have different body chemistry. That’s why your best friend might swear by a certain brand, but that same formula might leave you wanting (and wafting). What works magic for me may or may not work for you.

Disclaimer: Read your labels tootsies! When you test your own deodorants, keep in mind that not all natural deodorants are created equal. And just because a product says “natural” on the package doesn’t mean it’s all good in the hood. If you can find products that are certified organic (not always possible), that may be the best way to go, since the labeling has a more stringent standard than “natural.”

My Natural Deodorant Rankings

I hope you enjoy my video (watch above!) and rankings chart, which cover a slew of sticks (and rocks, and sprays, and creams—whew!). The natural deodorants I tested are all free of the harsh toxic chemicals and are cruelty-free. I ranked the deodorants a few ways: How well they worked for me, how enjoyable they were to use (sticky? chalky? silky?), and how they rated at EWG’s Skin Deep database. Though I tested over 15 products, I only included the top 9 because many of the others ranked too high at skindeep (over a 3 rating). Download my Natural Deodorant Rankings chart below!

Download the rating sheet & be the first to know about my next beauty review:

Your turn: Have you found a natural deodorant that works? Share your successes (and failures) in the comments below!

Peace & healthy pits,

P.S. Ready to ditch the rest of the questionable products in your cabinet?

Now’s your chance! Annmarie Gianni, an organic, non-toxic skincare line that I adore, is offering a gorgeous sample kit for only $10. The shipping is free, and you’ll get a coupon for a later purchase. Try these natural, wild-crafted products that will really get your skin glowing again! Get your sample kit here.

I’ve been using Lavanilla for a few years. I’ve been told it’s pretty clean, but you know, sometimes it’s hard to decipher ingredients, even the natural ones sometimes have long confusing names! What do you know about this deodorant?

I’ve had the same problem with never knowing what ingredients are safe or not. So my friend and I started using coconut oil and making our own. It’s awesome because you can use the scents you really like.

Wow Jadah, that is a great idea to use coconut oil as deodorant. I have been experimenting with essential oils and just throwing it under my arms. It definitely works and you get a cooling sensation as well but I may give the coconut oil a try as it is literally good for EVERYTHING! Thank you for the idea 🙂

I love Primal Pit Paste too – it works great and smells heavenly! Ingredients: Coconut oil, raw shea butter, beeswax, arrowroot powder, non-aluminum baking soda, and essential oils (i.e. lavender or thyme and lemon grass). No parabens, no aluminum! Highly recommend it.
But it’s not cheap, so I may try some of these helpful at-home recipes people mentioned in these comments when I run out. Thanks!

My husband and I love PRIMAL PIT PASTE!!! We both use the Lavender scent as it doesn’t smell flowery or girly at all. It’s just a really good, almost sporty-type scent. Hubby has strong pit odor while I don’t, but we can both get away with using the “Regular” (the jars come in “Light”, “Regular” and “Strong”). Less is more with this stuff; DO NOT over apply!!! It also comes in a stick version in “Regular”. The jar is a better value, but the stick is easier to apply. Thehe jars also come in a trial-sized version, and we use those for traveling because they’re so small. PLEASE NOTE: As I mentioned, less is more with this product. Just a tad goes a long way.

I’ve been using PureBodyScent deodorant for about 6 months now and I have to say that this is one of the best deodorants that I’ve every tried. Totally free of all the toxic ingredients and zero hydrogenated oils. Very nice scents and works extremely well. 😉

I’ve used both the Crystal Essence (which she gives 3 unicorns) and also Tom’s. While Crystal Essence is better than toms, they both do not stand-up to high heat, intense activity or humid weather. I’m actually somewhat dissapointed with the review of three unicorns for the Crystal Essence, she must not be very sweaty…. I have been on the hunt for a good natural deodorant for a few years and now I’m going to try the pit paste, that and Lavanilla seem to be the best reviewed elsewhere, and in this conversation chain

Completely agree with you, I was using the Crystal Essence and it was not working for me. I tried the Alaffia one which was just terrible and have been using the Herban Cowboy one. It’s ok, I’m actually going to try combining it with the Crystal Essence so I can use both of them up and avoid being wasteful but I get smelly by the mid-end of the day. That said, I am a sweater!

Hi Kris – http://moogoo.com.au/deodorant.html/ PLEASE PLEASE check out this product from down under I alternate between MI ESSENCE and this MOOGOO deoderant. Thanks for this subject! Its so hard to find a goodie! Cheers from BINC Downunder Renay!

Yes, my son uses Moo Goo, and I was using it before he nabbed it from me. Its great. I use Natural Essence and find it fantastic. Anyway…. on the Moo Goo, so nice to find something I am happy for my youngster to use, he only needs it once a week on sport day but I freaked when he wanted to start using because of his odour, so did a lot of research and Moo Goo was the one I settled on.

Hi. I sweat a lot and have tried loads. The best thing to stop the smell is barcabonate soda!dampen your fingers and put in barcabonate and pat onto your armpits. I don’t smell all day through to evening, it still allows you to sweat which is normal. Cheap too!

Yes, I make my own deodorant out of the same… you can Google homemade deodorant and come up with several great blogs. Even with the natural products, there are often ingredients that I can’t pronounce and don’t know what they are. I like knowing what I’m using, and it’s fun to make my own! (and cheap!)

I tried to do the same and while it worked amazingly well, I developed red and irritated skin under my armpits. Am I doing something wrong? I used about 2 tbs of baking soda, 1 drop peppermint oil and some water. I want to keep using it because of the effectiveness but afraid I’m doing damage to my skin.

Hi Kris,
I’ve found a Canadian deodorant as well, JASÖN made by The Hain Celestial Group.

Another possibility is lime. Yes, it’s a bit strange and it doesn’t last 24 hours, but if you use the juice from a slice of lime after shower and make sure your skin is dry before you put it on your skin and again before you put on your clothes you will stay fresh for many hours.

I have tried the spray version of thai crystal, but your are right it drips and it is frustrating, but works well. I am looking forward to trying the others and so is my husband. I value your opinion and your research.

Thanks for all that you do! You don’t know how much this has helped me with my own journey with breast cancer.

Hi, Lyndsi! Do you know which Kiss My Face ingredients are considered toxic? I’ve been using their Liquid Rock deodorant for years. It’s the only natural deodorant that I’ve tried (out of a long and varied experiment!) that works for me. But I will definitely reconsider, depending on which ingredients are toxic. Please advise! Thanks in advance!!! Their ingredients are listed on their web site. Here are the ingredient list for the unscented KMF Liquid Rock, which is the one I use (list pulled from the KMF web site): Aqua, Potasssium Alum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Salix Alba (Willow Bark Extract/Extrait d’ecorse de saule), Usnea Barbata (Lichen Extract/Extrait de lichen), Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

I gave up trying for awhile because I could not find anything that worked. Then I read an article that said it takes your body about a week to adjust to no anti-perspirant. While your body is adjusting, your pits will be awful, lots of sweat, waning though as the week progresses. So, I tried again when I was off work for a week. I washed my pits a lot with vinegar for the first few days, foregoing any deodarant use. The vinegar helps kill any of that smelly bacteria. After a few days, my sweating slowed down. Then I set about trying deodarants. I only bother to use one if I am going to be around people. Since breaking the anti-perspirant habit, my body sweats more naturally and I don’t need the mask unless I have been working on the farm or exercising. Then showering takes care of that! Best one I have tried so far is Origins Organic Spray. I can work hard on farm for 5 hours, and still be okay a couple of hours later. Ingredient list seems okay but it hasn’t been rated yet by EWG.

Hmm. I used Kiss My Face’s Liquid Rock deodorant for about four months until my mom discreetly told me it wasn’t really working and I’d been smelling. I had to switch back to a conventional antiperspirant but all the brands I’ve used have made me break out in pimples and rashes! Pit zits = horrible! What gives?! Should I keep trying different natural brands?

KarenM, the article you mention (about your body needing a week to adjust) may explain why my husband felt the coconut oil wasn’t working at first, and then after a few weeks, we noticed very little body odor. We wondered if his body was adjusting to it. I had stopped using it because I felt it wasn’t working, but I think I’ll start again to see if the odor changes after a few weeks. Good to know!

RachelD we hear this from a ton of our customers over at Real Purity! We make natural, organic deodorant that is clinically proven to last 24 hours and designed specifically for sensitive skin, so I wonder if we could help you out? If you want to try again, please email me at rachael at realpurity dot com and I will send you a travel size to trial. We have over 350 five star reviews of people who have the same challenges, so definitely check it out if you’re open to it!

Kris! I have also been looking for a natural deodorant for years, and recently found one that seriously works. It’s made by Blissoma, a local company her in my lovely hometown of St. Louis. 😉 The lavender scented one is divine – truly. http://www.blissoma.com/Lavender-Natural-Deodorant-Spray_p_11.html
The founder/owner of the company was at a local farmer’s market and I was so dorkily excited to tell her about how great it worked! I know you said in your video you don’t love the sprays, but I spray it on and do something like brush my teeth before getting dressed. Seriously you should try it! 🙂

What worked really well for me was the crystal stone or alum stone type of depdorant, they work great against odors…but a few months ago I came across a DIY natural deodorant recipe and it’s even better!!!

Thanks for the recipe, Chloe! I’m doing a workshop at a local health food store later this month on ways to use coconut oil and this will be a wonderful recipe to share. Participants at the workshop will make a couple homemade recipes to take home and try. I love peppermint essential oil myself, but I always tell folks that there is some research that says pregnant women should not use peppermint essential oil. Essential oils are so great; so powerful. They are medicine, too. Looking up the properties of the herb, and any contraindications to using it is good to know if you are going to make your own health and beauty products. For example, I might want to use sage in something I make for body care, but if I was pregnant, the sage shouldn’t be used b/c it could bring on contractions and baby could arrive too early. Again, thank you for sharing this. I’ll mention you and Kris at the workshop!

So true! Great and important information to share. 🙂 Just to clarify there is no reason clary sage should be avoided during pregnancy. Many books have propagated this folk message, and it is nothing more than a calming, sebum regulating and antibacterial essential oil. There are many recent publications from midwifery and aromatherapy sources helping clear the myth. Have a beautiful day 🙂

Thanks Chloe, I am going to try this. Currently only on weekends I have been spraying on apple cider vinegar and then using a combo of baking soda and arrowroot with some Essential oil, it works fine until I do some sweating, but making the paste might be the way to go . Thanks again

Yep, same here but with sandalwood oil too. I scoop it all into an old Herban Cowboy deo canister and stick in the freezer till firm then keep it in the fridge… I live in the tropics and this works great. If I have an extra sweaty day ahead, I dust on a little plain arrowroot and baking soda mix for extra dryness and freshness. I have not used anti-perspirant for years and this is the best alternative ever, better than the crystal or anything based on that and waaay better than the store bought non-crystal alternatives. Takes 5 minutes every couple months to recreate and refill… easy easy easy.

Hi, I use the same recipe, but without the essential oils so far. Working well for me, still wondering a bit, as it seems to leave some residue on my clothes some of the time. Does anyone else have that?

And what’s funny but not so convenient, is that with fall coming, lower temperature in our bathroom means it’s too hard to use! So at the moment, I’m back to my cristal stone. Any thoughts?

I tryed Toms first but I got an awful rash so I couldn’t wear anything for a couple of weeks, not the best couple of weeks fro everyone but then I tryed Jason calming lavender which is a 5 and it works better than by old chemically deoderant

Leah, I had a very similar experience with Tom’s! I’d been using it about a week with no issues, but one morning I put it on and it started to BURN! It felt like my pits were on fire! I read somewhere that a lot of people have issues with the hops in this brand.

I use Kokomo Cream Deodorant by Crunchy Betty. It’s homemade! No problematic ingredients and it smells a lot like a Piña Colada. She even includes the recipe with your order, if you are a do-it-yourself kind of gal. http://Www.crunchybetty.com

Yes, I’ve been using Ava Anderson non-toxic products for over a year now and the deodorant from that line is terrific and effective. The whole line is amazing, actually. I’ve also used Soapwalla which I agree works well but I hate having to dip my fingers in the jar and applying the cream without an applicator. I’d be interested in trying the Lavanilla a few posted about.

I switched from Krystal deodorant (because it did not work and I was not wild about some of its ingredients ) to Ava Anderson Non Toxic Deodorant a year ago when they launched their all organic deodorant . It works amazing . I am surprised it is not on your list of recommendations . You need to check it out , I now sell it to my friends and family please feel free to visit my website if you decide to try it and are not completely satisfied , I will buy it back from you : ) thanks for this informative article !

We’ve been using pure coconut oil lately. We aren’t completely sold on it yet, but we’re starting to believe it works better the longer you use it. My husband notices that it lasts longer than his aluminum based deodorant, but once it wears off, it can be tricky. So you’d want to find a nice jar to carry some around so you can apply more in a bathroom.

I also use Mbeze products. The “deodorettes” are the size of a lipstick tube, but they really work! They can be sticky, so I use the Mbeze “dabber dust”, which is powder to help with the stickiness.

I’m still searching for something less expensive than the Mbeze products and less messy than coconut oil. has anyone tried the new 10o Percent Pure deodorants. I use their lotions and body washes.

I use coconut oil too, but I mix in some aluminum-free baking soda and cornstarch, and a few drops of essential oil like tea tree. I’ve found it works great for me, and my partner (who is a big, sweaty, athletic dude) says it’s the best thing he’s ever tried! Good luck finding something that works for you!

Thanks for the info. I posted again upthread in response to someone mentioning an article that indicates the body needs a week to adjust. I stopped using the oil after a week or so, but my husband continued and we felt the coconut oil was beginning to work better and better the longer he used it. I will mention your post to him since he’s stopped using it due to turning solid from the colder weather. He prefers a spray and was able to spray the oil on when it was liquid. Meanwhile, I will begin using it again. I bought some essential oils and tea tree oil, but didn’t like the smell, so I may just stick with the unscented.

Karen, I found a great bottle to carry my coconut oil in. You can find them at CVS, possibly other drugstores too. The brand is Go Gear, they are small triangular shaped silicone bottles. When the oil becomes solid just run hot water over them.

I found what works best is a mixture of aluminum free baking soda and cornstarch or arrowroot and you can add a little tea tree oil or lavender. I also make a homemade deodorant from Wellness Mamas blog that uses coconut oil, baking soda, cornstarch or arrowroot and essential oil of choice. Works great!

I have been using Arbonne deodorant for about a year & really like it. Works good for me, but not for my husband. Have to re-apply sometimes, but I’m not a heavy sweater. I haven’t seen it reviewed, was hoping it would be listed.

Thanks so much for doing this, kris! 🙂 Love you, honey!! 🙂 I’ve been working to find a decent and safe one for the past 10 years and yes, some are certainly more effective than others. I’ve felt much safer in this time, but sometimes I’ve had to reassess after feeling less than “fresh” which is not fun! Science experiments can be challenging in unexpected ways!!! 🙂 Ha!

Love and Blessings to you and your team and keep on keepin’ on!!
MJ xoxo 🙂

I agree Kris. People take deodorant either to lightly or refuse to switch because they cannot give up there favorite that may be making them toxic.
What about lotions and perfume. I gave up perfume about a year ago. I don’t miss spending the money and now when I’m around someone who is wearing a commercial brand (that I use to love) I nearly gag.
Don’t you think you smell less ‘stinky’ when you eat less meat and more plants?
Love to hear your feedback.

Kris, First of all–you are so darned cute (and funny)! I tend to slap on a little coconut oil (anti-bacterial) and/or a drop of therapeutic-grade peppermint essential oil. Sometimes I mix it up and use baking soda, corn starch or a clean baby powder with a drop or two of the peppermint oil. Or tea tree or lavender instead…
I can’t believe so many people still put toxic deodorants and antiperspirants under their arms. I hardly every go in a drugstore anymore but when I do, I’m blown away by the shear number of products.

Greetings and thank you for the deodorant presentation. I personally used the rock for a period of time, but it burned my skin and turned it dark. I had used a cream called Lavilin made from Israel for over 30 years. You go for a weekend without putting anything on, shower, topically put the cream on and then wash it off in the morning. It would keep odor away for 10 days to two weeks. I have since started experimenting with other products as the efficacy of the product has since been seriously reduced while becoming pricier at the same time. Currently the coverage duration is about three to four days without reapplying. When I started it was $9.00 for a little cup, now it’s gone up and not as effective. ALSO, the design of the cup is not the content of the product. There’s a little insert where they put the product which is much less than you expect.

I’ve had a reaction to a few of the natural deodorants. I’m not sure why but removing the deodorant after work with warm water helps to clear up the irritation and after a couple of weeks the irritation resolved.

I love paraben-free products. My favorite to use is the Sensé line Firming Body Lotion. The ingredients have a gently exfoliation process and allowing the skin to stay hydrated, which is important to keep the skin balanced. There is a lovely uplifting citrus scent. Refreshing, healthy, and so smooth for the skin.

I just wanted to share with everyone, that I do not use anything for about 4-5 years now. 🙂
Although I have never been really the sweaty type, I could feel my odour at the end of the day or when I was stressed.
I first tried natural products – but I live in Hungary so I do not know whether you have them – then I started using himalayan salt – and that did the magic 🙂 After showering and in the morning, I just watered the himalayan salt soap a little, put some of it on my armpit and went along the day. The trick is just what you have written, that it killed the bacteria, that caused the smell.

Basically it was a little weird for about 2 weeks then my body got rid of the “addiction” and my odour went away. Of course not completely, but it is not disturbing and after one or two months I stopped using anything at all. Honestly, when I am a little stinky, it is not a bit worse than before, when I still used the chemicals – and when I do feel that maybe my smell is not perfect, then I spread some organic cream that is of orange and ylang ylang 100% essential oil in shea butter on my armpit.

Maybe I am a very lucky type, but it is worth a shot, it saves you a lot of money and the planet a lot of waste 🙂

Kris, I have experimented with a cream called Lavilin that recently launched a much-easier-to-use roll on version. I’ve heard that Lavilin is all natural…do you know? or can you confirm? The story goes that monks use it and that it lasts up to 7 days with a single application. I’ve found that even with heavy workouts, i can successfully get 4 days of no smelling out of one application. You have to order it online. Would love to know what you think. Thanks….this was a super good video, one that i’m sharing with my teenage kids who have eschewed my natural deodorants in favor of nasty things like Ax and Speed Stick just to save them the teen embarrassment of being odorishous (?)

I used Lavalin as well, the only thing I found was that the roll on type contains “Fragrance” that I can only assume is chemical/synthetic as it doesn’t specify otherwise, but I def think it’s better than antipersperants

OMG, better than a cuppa, watching this made me laugh, giggle, and start my day armed with great info, .
I have been using the salt crystal for over 8 years and love it.
Thank you Kris for what you do, love you, and unicorns

I’ve been wanting to swith my deodorant for some time, and this is the third or fourth time I’ve heard that Soapwalla’s deodorant cream actually works. I like the idea of a cream deodorant– I’ve tried sprays, gels, and just regular ole sticks. I hated the sprays and gels (and antiperspirant freaks me out) so I think I’m going to give the cream a try! Thank goodness for payday tomorrow, and of course, the wonderful info!

This video could not have some at a better time for us! My daughter is just getting to the point of needing deodorant and I would love to start her out on the right path. She is very interested in making the right choices to keep her body healthy and she always enjoys you, Kris! (The bear and unicorn rating system will also be fun for her!) Thanks so much!

The best deodorant so far is the one I make myself. Combine aluminum free baking powder, arrowroot powder with extra virgin coconut oil and a few drops of your favourite essential oil to make a thick paste – you’ll never go back to a commercial deodorant again.

Yes, spent years trying to find the perfect non-toxic, natural deodorant that didn’t leave me with a stink… I recently discovered this awesome brand, Schmidt’s. It’s in a jar so you use a stick applicator to collect your pea-sized amount and then like a cream you apply it to your underarm. I bought the Bergamot Lime and Ylang Ylang Calendula. And I have to say, I’m not trying anything else!! http://schmidtsbeauty.com/Schmidts_Beauty/Home.html

My daughter recently gifted me with an amazing natural deodorant product made by Soap Walla out of Brooklyn, NY. Mine was created by soapwalla chef, Rachel Winard. I will never use my salt stick again.[email protected] or http://www.soapwallakitchen.com.

Thank you for mentioning us Caroyln! Have you had a chance to try our travel size deodorant yet? We just introduced it earlier this year. Let me know if you want to give it a try and I’ll send ya a free one 🙂 Thanks again Carolyn!!